Heterocyclic compounds useful as malonyl-CoA decarboxylase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for the use of compounds as depicted by structure I, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods for the prophylaxis, management and treatment of metabolic diseases and diseases modulated by MCD inhibition. The compounds disclosed in this invention are useful for the prophylaxis, management and treatment of diseases involving in malonyl-CoA regulated glucose/fatty acid metabolism pathway. In particular, these compounds and pharmaceutical composition containing the same are indicated in the prophylaxis, management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/492,030, filed Aug. 1, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of treatment of certain metabolic diseases and the use of compounds and their prodrugs, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds useful in treating such diseases. In particular, the invention relates to the use of compounds and compositions for the prophylaxis, management or treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and obesity through the inhibition of malonyl-coenzyme A decarboxylase (malonyl-CoA decarboxylase, MCD).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Malonyl-CoA is an important metabolic intermediary produced by the enzyme Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC) in the body. In the liver, adipocytes, and other tissues, malonyl-CoA is a substrate for fatty acid synthase (FAS). ACC and malonyl-CoA are found in skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle tissue, where fatty acid synthase levels are low. The enzyme malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD, EC 4.1.1.9) catalyzes the conversion of malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA and thereby regulates malonyl-CoA levels. MCD activity has been described in a wide array of organisms, including prokaryotes, birds, and mammals. It has been purified from the bacteria Rhizobium trifolii (An et al., J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 32:414-418(1999)), the uropygial glands of waterfowl (Buckner, et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys 177:539(1976); Kim and Kolattukudy Arch. Biochem. Biophys 190:585(1978)), rat liver mitochondria (Kim and Kolattukudy, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 190:234(1978)), rat mammary glands (Kim and Kolattukudy, Biochim. Biophys, Acta 531:187(1978)), rat pancreatic β-cell (Voilley et al., Biochem. J. 340:213 (1999)) and goose (Anser anser) (Jang et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264:3500 (1989)). Identification of patients with MCD deficiency lead to the cloning of a human gene homologous to goose and rat MCD genes (Gao et al., J. Lipid. Res. 40:178 (1999); Sacksteder et al., J. Biol. Chem. 274:24461(1999); FitzPatrick et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet. 65:318(1999)). A single human MCD mRNA is observed by Northern Blot analysis. The highest mRNA expression levels are found in muscle and heart tissues, followed by liver, kidney and pancreas, with detectable amounts in all other tissues examined.

Malonyl-CoA is a potent endogenous inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I), an enzyme essential for the metabolism of long-chain fatty acids. CPT-I is the rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid oxidation and catalyzes the formation of acyl-carnitine, which is transported from the cytosol across the mitochondrial membranes by acyl carnitine translocase. Inside of the mitochondria the long-chain fatty acids are transferred back to CoA form by a complementary enzyme, CPT-II, and, in the mitochondria, acyl-CoA enters the β-oxidation pathway generating acetyl-CoA. In the liver, high levels of acetyl-CoA occurs for example following a meal, leading to elevated malonyl-CoA levels, which inhibit CPT-I, thereby preventing fat metabolism and favoring fat synthesis. Conversely, low malonyl-CoA levels favor fatty acid metabolism by allowing the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. Hence, malonyl-CoA is a central metabolite that plays a key role in balancing fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation (Zammit, Biochem. J. 343:5050-515(1999)). Recent work indicates that MCD is able to regulate cytoplasmic as well as mitochondrial malonyl-CoA levels [Alam and Saggerson, Biochem J. 334:233-241(1998); Dyck et al., Am J Physiology 275:H2122-2129(1998)].

Although malonyl-CoA is present in muscle and cardiac tissues, only low levels of FAS have been detected in these tissues. It is believed that the role of malonyl-CoA and MCD in these tissues is to regulate fatty acid metabolism. This is achieved via malonyl-CoA inhibition of muscle (M) and liver (L) isoforms of CPT-I, which are encoded by distinct genes (McGarry and Brown, Eur. J. Biochem. 244:1-14(1997)). The muscle isoform is more sensitive to malonyl-CoA inhibition (IC50 0.03 μM) than the liver isoform (IC₅₀ 2.5 μM). Malonyl-CoA regulation of CPT-I has been described in the liver, heart, skeletal muscle and pancreatic μ-cells. In addition, malonyl-CoA sensitive acyl-CoA transferase activity present in microsomes, perhaps part of a system that delivers acyl groups into the endoplasmic reticulum, has also been described (Fraser et al., FEBS Lett. 446:69-74(1999)).

Cardiovascular Diseases

The healthy human heart utilizes available metabolic substrates. When blood glucose levels are high, uptake and metabolism of glucose provide the major source of fuel for the heart. In the fasting state, lipids are provided by adipose tissues, and fatty acid uptake and metabolism in the heart down regulate glucose metabolism. The regulation of intermediary metabolism by serum levels of fatty acid and glucose comprises the glucose-fatty acid cycle (Randle et al., Lancet, 1:785-789(1963)). Under ischemic conditions, limited oxygen supply reduces both fatty acid and glucose oxidation and reduces the amount of ATP produced by oxidative phosphorylation in the cardiac tissues. In the absence of sufficient oxygen, glycolysis increases in an attempt to maintain ATP levels and a buildup of lactate and a drop in intracellular pH results. Energy is spent maintaining ion homeostasis, and myocyte cell death occurs as a result of abnormally low ATP levels and disrupted cellular osmolarity. Additionally, AMPK, activated during ischemia, phosphorylates and thus inactivates ACC. Total cardiac malonyl-CoA levels drop, CPT-I activity therefore is increased and fatty acid oxidation is favored over glucose oxidation. The beneficial effects of metabolic modulators in cardiac tissue are the increased efficiency of ATP/mole oxygen for glucose as compared to fatty acids and more importantly the increased coupling of glycolysis to glucose oxidation resulting in the net reduction of the proton burden in the ischemic tissue.

A number of clinical and experimental studies indicate that shifting energy metabolism in the heart towards glucose oxidation is an effective approach to decreasing the symptoms associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as but not limited, to myocardial ischemia (Hearse, “Metabolic approaches to ischemic heart disease and its management”, Science Press). Several clinically proven anti-angina drugs including perhexiline and amiodarone inhibit fatty acid oxidation via inhibition of CPT-I (Kennedy et al., Biochem. Pharmacology, 52: 273 (1996)). The antianginal drugs ranolazine, currently in Phase III clinical trials, and trimetazidine are shown to inhibit fatty acid μ-oxidation (McCormack et al., Genet. Pharmac. 30:639(1998), Pepine et al., Am. J. Cardiology 84:46 (1999)). Trimetazidine has been shown to specifically inhibit the long-chain 3-ketoactyl CoA thiolase, an essential step in fatty acid oxidation. (Kantor et al., Circ. Res. 86:580-588 (2000)). Dichloroacetate increases glucose oxidation by stimulating the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and improves cardiac function in those patients with coronary artery diseases (Wargovich et al., Am. J. Cardiol. 61:65-70 (1996)). Inhibiting CPT-I activity through the increased malonyl-CoA levels with MCD inhibitors would result in not only a novel, but also a much safer method, as compared to other known small molecule CPT-I inhibitors, to the prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Most of the steps involved in glycerol-lipid synthesis occur on the cytosolic side of liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The synthesis of triacyl glycerol (TAG) targeted for secretion inside the ER from diacyl gycerol (DAG) and acyl CoA is dependent upon acyl CoA transport across the ER membrane. This transport is dependent upon a malonyl-CoA sensitive acyl-CoA transferase activity (Zammit, Biochem. J. 343:505(1999) Abo-Hashema, Biochem. 38: 15840 (1999) and Abo-Hashema, J. Biol. Chem. 274:35577 (1999)). Inhibition of TAG biosynthesis by a MCD inhibitor may improve the blood lipid profile and therefore reduce the risk factor for coronary artery disease of patients.

Diabetes

Two metabolic complications most commonly associated with diabetes are hepatic overproduction of ketone bodies (in NIDDM) and organ toxicity associated with sustained elevated levels of glucose. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation can regulate blood-glucose levels and ameliorate some symptoms of type II diabetes. Malonyl-CoA inhibition of CPT-I is the most important regulatory mechanism that controls the rate of fatty acid oxidation during the onset of the hypoinsulinemic-hyperglucagonemic state. Several irreversible and reversible CPT-I inhibitors have been evaluated for their ability to control blood glucose levels and they are all invariably hypoglycemic (Anderson, Current Pharmaceutical Design 4:1(1998)). A liver specific and reversible CPT-inhibitor, SDZ-CPI-975, significantly lowers glucose levels in normal 18-hour-fasted nonhuman primates and rats without inducing cardiac hypertrophy (Deems et al., Am. J. Physiology 274:R524 (1998)). Malonyl-CoA plays a significant role as a sensor of the relative availability of glucose and fatty acid in pancreatic μ-cells, and thus links glucose metabolism to cellular energy status and insulin secretion. It has been shown that insulin secretagogues elevate malonyl-CoA concentration in β-cells (Prentki et al., Diabetes 45:273 (1996)). Treating diabetes directly with CPT-I inhibitors has, however, resulted in mechanism-based hepatic and myocardial toxicities. MCD inhibitors that inhibit CPT-I through the increase of its endogenous inhibitor, malonyl-CoA, are thus safer and superior as compared to CPT-I inhibitors for treatment of diabetic diseases.

Cancers

Malonyl-CoA has been suggested to be a potential mediator of cytotoxicity induced by fatty-acid synthase inhibition in human breast cancer cells and xenografts (Pizer et al., Cancer Res. 60:213 (2000)). It is found that inhibition of fatty acid synthase using antitumor antibiotic cerulenin or a synthetic analog C75 markedly increase the malonyl-CoA levels in breast carcinoma cells. On the other hand, the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor, TOFA (5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furoic acid), which only inhibits at the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) level, does not show any antitumor activity, while at the same time the malonyl-CoA level is decreased to 60% of the control. It is believed that the increased malonyl-CoA level is responsible for the antitumor activity of these fatty acid synthase inhibitors. Regulating malonyl-CoA levels using MCD inhibitors thus constitutes a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer diseases.

Obesity

It is suggested that malonyl-CoA may play a key role in appetite signaling in the brain via the inhibition of the neuropepetide Y pathway (Loftus et al., Science 288:2379(2000)). Systemic or intracerebroventricular treatment of mice with fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitor cerulenin or C75 led to inhibition of feeding and dramatic weight loss. It is found that C75 inhibited expression of the prophagic signal neuropeptide Y in the hypothalamus and acted in a leptin-independent manner that appears to be mediated by malonyl-CoA. Therefore control of malonyl-CoA levels through inhibition of MCD provides a novel approach to the prophylaxis and treatment of obesity.

Additionally, these compounds are also useful as a diagnostic tool for diseases associated with MCD deficiency or malfunctions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods for the use of compounds as depicted by structure I, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods for the prophylaxis, management and treatment of metabolic diseases and diseases modulated by MCD inhibition. The compounds disclosed in this invention are useful for the prophylaxis, management and treatment of diseases involving in malonyl-CoA regulated glucose/fatty acid metabolism pathway. In particular, these compounds and pharmaceutical composition containing the same are indicated in the prophylaxis, management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

The present invention also includes within its scope diagnostic methods for the detection of diseases associated with MCD deficiency or malfunctions.

The compounds useful in the present invention are represented by the following structures:

Wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R4, X, Y and Z are as defined below. Also included within the scope of these compounds are the corresponding enantiomers, diastereoisomers, prodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Other aspects of this invention will become apparent as the description of this invention continues. Hence, the foregoing merely summarizes certain aspects of the invention and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as limiting the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description of the invention that follows is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise details disclosed. It has been chosen and described to best explain the details of the invention to others skilled in the art.

The compounds useful in the present invention are represented by the following formulae (I):

wherein

-   -   R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen,         C₁-C₆ substituted alkyl, C₁-C₆ substituted alkenyl, C₁-C₆         substituted alkynyl, alkoxyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, aryl,         heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, —NHCONR₅R₆, —COR₅, —CON         R₅R₆, —S(O)_(n)R₅, or —SO₂NR₅R_(6,);     -   R₃ and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, bromo,         chloro, fluoro, iodo, hydroxyl, methoxyl, —COOH, —COOR₅,         —NHCONR₅R₆, —COR₅, —CONR₅R₆, —S(O)_(n)RF₅, or —SO₂NR₅R₆, C₁-C₆         alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxyl, phenyl,         substituted phenyl, aryl or heteroaryl;     -   R₅ and R₆ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl,         substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, aryl or         heteroaryl;     -   X is chosen form O, N, NH, NR₅, S, or C;     -   its corresponding enantiomers, diastereoisomers or tautomers, or         a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a prodrug thereof in an         pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Preferably, the compounds in the present invention are represented by the following formulae (Ia-If):

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R4 are as defined above.

More preferably, the compounds in the present invention are represented by the general formulae Ie

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R4 are as defined above. Compositions

The compositions of the present invention comprise:

-   -   (a) a safe and therapeutically effective amount of an MCD         inhibiting compound I or II, its corresponding enantiomer,         diastereoisomer or tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable         salt, or a prodrug thereof; and     -   (b) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

As discussed above, numerous diseases can be mediated by MCD related therapy.

Accordingly, the compounds useful in this invention can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for use in prophylaxis, management and treatment of these conditions. Standard pharmaceutical formulation techniques are used, such as those disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa.

A “safe and therapeutically effective amount” of a compound useful in the present invention is an amount that is effective, to inhibit MCD at the site(s) of activity, in a subject, a tissue, or a cell, and preferably in an animal, more preferably in a mammal, without undue adverse side effects (such as toxicity, irritation, or allergic response), commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, when used in the manner of this invention. The specific “safe and therapeutically effective amount” will, obviously, vary with such factors as the particular condition being treated, the physical condition of the patient, the duration of treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), the specific dosage form to be used, the carrier employed, the solubility of the compound therein, and the dosage regimen desired for the composition.

In addition to the selected compound useful for the present invention, the compositions of the present invention contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier”, as used herein, means one or more compatible solid or liquid filler diluents or encapsulating substances which are suitable for administration to a mammal. The term “compatible”, as used herein, means that the components of the composition are capable of being commingled with the subject compound, and with each other, in a manner such that there is no interaction which would substantially reduce the pharmaceutical efficacy of the composition under ordinary use situations. Pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers must, of course, be of sufficiently high purity and sufficiently low toxicity to render them suitable for administration preferably to an animal, preferably mammal being treated.

Some examples of substances, which can serve as pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers or components thereof, are sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and methyl cellulose; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; solid lubricants, such as stearic acid and magnesium stearate; calcium sulfate; vegetable oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil of theobroma; polyols such as propylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, mannitol, and polyethylene glycol; alginic acid; emulsifiers, such as the TWEENS; wetting agents, such sodium lauryl sulfate; coloring agents; flavoring agents; tableting agents, stabilizers; antioxidants; preservatives; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; and phosphate buffer solutions.

The choice of a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to be used in conjunction with the subject compound is basically determined by the way the compound is to be administered.

If the subject compound is to be injected, the preferred pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is sterile, physiological saline, with blood-compatible suspending agent, the pH of which has been adjusted to about 7.4. In particular, pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers for systemic administration include sugars, starches, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatin, talc, calcium sulfate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffer solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogen-free water. Preferred carriers for parenteral administration include propylene glycol, ethyl oleate, pyrrolidone, ethanol, and sesame oil. Preferably, the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, in compositions for parenteral administration, comprises at least about 90% by weight of the total composition.

The compositions of this invention are preferably provided in unit dosage form. As used herein, a “unit dosage form” is a composition of this invention containing an amount of a compound that is suitable for administration to an animal, preferably mammal subject, in a single dose, according to good medical practice. (The preparation of a single or unit dosage form however, does not imply that the dosage form is administered once per day or once per course of therapy. Such dosage forms are contemplated to be administered once, twice, thrice or more per day, and are expected to be given more than once during a course of therapy, though a single administration is not specifically excluded. The skilled artisan will recognize that the formulation does not specifically contemplate the entire course of therapy and such decisions are left for those skilled in the art of treatment rather than formulation.) These compositions preferably contain from about 5 mg (milligrams), more preferably from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, more preferably to about 500 mg, most preferably to about 300 mg, of the selected compound.

The compositions useful for this invention may be in any of a variety of forms, suitable (for example) for oral, nasal, rectal, topical (including transdermal), ocular, intracereberally, intravenous, intramuscular, or parenteral administration. (The skilled artisan will appreciate that oral and nasal compositions comprise compositions that are administered by inhalation, and made using available methodologies.) Depending upon the particular route of administration desired, a variety of pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers well-known in the art may be used. These include solid or liquid fillers, diluents, hydrotropies, surface-active agents, and encapsulating substances. Optional pharmaceutically-active materials may be included, which do not substantially interfere with the inhibitory activity of the compound. The amount of carrier employed in conjunction with the compound is sufficient to provide a practical quantity of material for administration per unit dose of the compound. Techniques and compositions for making dosage forms useful in the methods of this invention are described in the following references, all incorporated by reference herein: Modern Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10 (Banker & Rhodes, editors, 1979); Lieberman et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (1981); and Ansel, Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 2d Edition (1976).

Various oral dosage forms can be used, including such solid forms as tablets, capsules, granules and bulk powders. These oral forms comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 5%, and preferably from about 25% to about 50%, of the compound. Tablets can be compressed, tablet triturates, enteric-coated, sugar-coated, film-coated, or multiple-compressed, containing suitable binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents, and melting agents. Liquid oral dosage forms include aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules, and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules, containing suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, melting agents, coloring agents and flavoring agents.

The pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier suitable for the preparation of unit dosage forms for peroral administration are well-known in the art. Tablets typically comprise conventional pharmaceutically-compatible adjuvants as inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, mannitol, lactose and cellulose; binders such as starch, gelatin and sucrose; disintegrants such as starch, alginic acid and croscarmelose; lubricants such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid and talc. Glidants such as silicon dioxide can be used to improve flow characteristics of the powder mixture. Coloring agents, such as the FD&C dyes, can be added for appearance. Sweeteners and flavoring agents, such as aspartame, saccharin, menthol, peppermint, and fruit flavors, are useful adjuvants for chewable tablets. Capsules typically comprise one or more solid diluents disclosed above. The selection of carrier components depends on secondary considerations like taste, cost, and shelf stability, which are not critical for the purposes of the subject invention, and can be readily made by a person skilled in the art.

Peroral compositions also include liquid solutions, emulsions, suspensions, and the like. The pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers suitable for preparation of such compositions are well known in the art. Typical components of carriers for syrups, elixirs, emulsions and suspensions include ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, liquid sucrose, sorbitol and water. For a suspension, typical suspending agents include methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, AVICEL RC-591, tragacanth and sodium alginate; typical wetting agents include lecithin and polysorbate 80; and typical preservatives include methyl paraben and sodium benzoate. Peroral liquid compositions may also contain one or more components such as sweeteners, flavoring agents and colorants disclosed above.

Such compositions may also be coated by conventional methods, typically with pH or time-dependent coatings, such that the subject compound is released in the gastrointestinal tract in the vicinity of the desired topical application, or at various times to extend the desired action. Such dosage forms typically include, but are not limited to, one or more of cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinylacetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, ethyl cellulose, Eudragit coatings, waxes and shellac.

Compositions of the subject invention may optionally include other drug actives.

Other compositions useful for attaining systemic delivery of the subject compounds include sublingual, buccal and nasal dosage forms. Such compositions typically comprise one or more of soluble filler substances such as sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol; and binders such as acacia, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. Glidants, lubricants, sweeteners, colorants, antioxidants and flavoring agents disclosed above may also be included.

The compositions of this invention can also be administered topically to a subject, e.g., by the direct application or spreading of the composition on the epidermal or epithelial tissue of the subject, or transdermally via a “patch”. Such compositions include, for example, lotions, creams, solutions, gels and solids. These topical compositions preferably comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 0.1%, and preferably from about 1% to about 5%, of the compound. Suitable carriers for topical administration preferably remain in place on the skin as a continuous film, and resist being removed by perspiration or immersion in water. Generally, the carrier is organic in nature and capable of having dispersed or dissolved therein the compound. The carrier may include pharmaceutically-acceptable emollient, emulsifiers, thickening agents, solvents and the like.

Methods of Administration

The compounds and compositions useful in this invention can be administered topically or systemically. Systemic application includes any method of introducing compound into the tissues of the body, e.g., intra-articular, intrathecal, epidural, intramuscular, transdermal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, sublingual administration, inhalation, rectal, or oral administration. The compounds useful in the present invention are preferably administered orally.

The specific dosage of the compound to be administered, as well as the duration of treatment is to be individualised by the treating clinicians. Typically, for a human adult (weighing approximately 70 kilograms), from about 5 mg, preferably from about 10 mg to about 3000 mg, more preferably to about 1000 mg, more preferably to about 300 mg, of the selected compound is administered per day. It is understood that these dosage ranges are by way of example only, and that daily administration can be adjusted depending on the factors listed above.

In all of the foregoing, of course, the compounds useful in the present invention can be administered alone or as mixtures, and the compositions may further include additional drugs or excipients as appropriate for the indication. For example, in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, it is clearly contemplated that the invention may be used in conjunction with beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, angiotensin receptor inhibitors, or known cardiovascular drugs or therapies. Hence, in this example, compounds or compositions useful in this invention are useful when dosed together with another active and can be combined in a single dosage form or composition.

These compositions can also be administered in the form of liposome delivery systems, such as small unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles, and multilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety of phospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearylamine, or phosphatidylcholines.

Definitions

As used herein, “alkyl” means a straight chain alkane, alkene, or alkyne substituent containing only carbon and hydrogen, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, pentyl, heptyl and the like. Alkyl groups can be saturated or unsaturated (i.e., containing —C═C— or —C≡C— linkages), at one or several positions. When a specific degree of unsaturation is preferred, said substituent is referred to as either “alkenyl” or “alkynyl”, denoting substituents containing —C═C— or —C≡C— linkages, respectively. The number of carbons may be denoted as “C_(i)-C_(j)-alkyl” wherein I and j refer to the minimum and maximum number of carbon atoms, respectively. Typically, alkyl groups will comprise 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 10, and more preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms.

As used herein, “substituted alkyl” means a hydrocarbon substituent, which is linear, cyclic or branched, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted by carboxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, cyano, nitro, carbonyl, aryl, carboxyalkyl, mercapto, amino, amido, ureido, carbamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfamido, or halogen. Preferred substituted alkyls have their alkyl spacers (i.e., portion which is alkyl) of 1 to about 5 carbons, and may be branched or linear, and may include cyclic substituents, either as part or all of their structure. Preferred examples of “substituted alkyls” include 4-carboxybutyl, pyridin-2-ylmethyl, and 1,3-thiazol-2-ylmethyl, benzyl, phenethyl, and trifluoromethyl. The term “substituted alkyl” may be combined with other art accepted terms. For example “substituted alkoxy” means alkoxy as understood in the art, wherein the alkyl portion of the substituent is substituted.

As used herein, “branched alkyl” means a subset of “alkyl”, and thus is a hydrocarbon substituent, which is branched. Preferred branched alkyls are of 3 to about 12 carbons, and may include cycloalkyl within their structure. Examples of branched alkyl include isopropyl, isobutyl, 1,2-dimethyl-propyl, cyclopentylmethyl and the like. The term “branched alkyl” may be combined with other art accepted terms. For example “branched alkoxy” means alkoxy as understood in the art, wherein the alkyl portion of the substituent is branched.

As used herein, “cycloalkyl” is a hydrocarbon substituent that is cyclic, and can be substituted or unsubstituted. Where it is substituted, one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted by carboxy, hydroxy, alkoxy, cyano, nitro, carbonyl, aryl, carboxyalkyl, mercapto, amino, amido, ureido, carbamoyl, sulfonamido, sulfamido, or halogen. Preferred cyclic alkyls are of 3 to about 7 carbons. Examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, 4-fluoro-cyclohexyl, 2,3-dihydroxy-cyclopentyl, and the like.

As used herein, “alkylene” is an alkyl diradical, i.e., an alkyl that has open valences on two different carbon atoms. Hence “(alkylene)R_(i)” is an alkyl diradical attached at one carbon and having substituent R_(i) attached at another carbon, which may be one or more carbons away from the point of attachment. Alkylene can be linear, branched, or cyclic. Examples of alkylene include —CH₂—, CH₂CH₂—, —(CH₂)₄—, -(cyclohexyl)-, and the like.

As used herein, “aryl” is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic, i.e., Huckel 4n+2 rule applies, radical having a single-ring (e.g., phenyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g., naphthyl or anthryl), which may contain zero to 4 heteroatoms. Hence the term “heteroaryl” is clearly contemplated in the term “aryl”. Preferred carbocyclic aryl, is phenyl. Preferred monocyclic heterocycles, i.e., heteroaryls, are 5 or 6 membered rings. Preferably, where the term “aryl” represents an aromatic heterocycle, it is referred to as “heteroaryl” or “heteroaromatic”, and has one or more heteroatom(s). Preferred numbers of such heteroatoms are from one to three N atoms, and preferably when “heteroaryl” is a heterocycle of five members, it has one or two heteroatoms selected from 0, N, or S. Hence, preferred heterocycles have up to three, more preferably two or less, heteroatoms present in the aromatic ring. The skilled artisan will recognize that among heteroaryl, there are both five and six membered rings. Examples of “heteroaryl” include; thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazyl, furyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazilyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, and others, which the skilled artisan will recognize. In this definition it is clearly contemplated that substitution on the aryl ring is within the scope of this invention. Where substitution occurs, the radical is referred to as “substituted aryl”. Preferably one to three, more preferably one or two, and most preferably one substituent is attached to the aryl ring. Although many substituents will be useful, preferred substituents include those commonly found in aryl compounds, such as alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, cyano, nitro, halo, haloalkyl, mercapto and the like. Such substituents are prepared using known methodologies. These substituents may be attached at various positions of the aryl ring, and wherein a given placement is preferred, such placement is indicated by “o,m,p-R_(i)-aryl”. Thus, if substituent R_(i) is attached at the para position of the aryl, then this is indicated as “p-R_(i)-substituted aryl”.

As used herein, “amide” includes both RNR′CO— (in the case of R=alkyl, alkaminocarbonyl-) and RCONR′— (in the case of R=alkyl, alkyl carbonylamino-).

As used herein, “ester” includes both ROCO— (in the case of R=alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl-) and RCOO— (in the case of R=alkyl, alkylcarbonyloxy-).

As used herein, “halogen” is a chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo atom radical. Chloro, bromo and fluoro are preferred halogens. The term “halogen” also contemplates terms sometimes referred to as “halo” or “halide”.

As used herein, “alkylamino” is an amine radical in which at least one hydrogen atom on the nitrogen has been replaced with alkyl. Preferred examples include ethylamino, butylamino, isopropylamino, and the like. The alkyl component may be linear, branched, cyclic, substituted, saturated, or unsaturated.

As used herein, “alkylsulfanyl” is a thiol radical in which the hydrogen atom on sulfur has been replaced with alkyl. Preferred examples include ethylsulfanyl, butylsulfanyl, isopropylsulfanyl, and the like. The alkyl component may be linear, branched, cyclic, substituted, saturated, or unsaturated.

As used herein, “alkoxy” is a hydoxyl radical in which the hydrogen atom on oxygen has been replaced with alkyl. Preferred examples include ethoxy, butoxy, benzyloxy, and the like. The alkyl component may be linear, branched, cyclic, substituted, saturated, or unsaturated.

As used herein, “heterocycle(s)” means ring systems, preferably of 3-7 members, which are saturated or unsaturated, and non-aromatic. These may be substituted or unsubstituted, and are attached to other parts of the molecule via any available valence, preferably any available carbon or nitrogen. More preferred heterocycles are of 5 or 6 members. In six-membered monocyclic heterocycles, the heteroatom(s) are from one to three of O, S, or N, and wherein when the heterocycle is five-membered, preferably it has one or two heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S.

As used herein, “heterocyclyl” means radical heterocycles. These may be substituted or unsubstituted, and are attached to other via any available valence, preferably any available carbon or nitrogen.

As used herein, “sulfamido” means an alkyl-N—S(O)₂N—, aryl-NS(O)₂N— or heterocyclyl-NS(O)₂N— group wherein the alkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl group is as defined herein above.

As used herein, “sulfonamido” means an alkyl-S(O)₂N—, aryl-S(O)₂N— or heterocyclyl-S(O)₂N— group wherein the alkyl, aryl or heterocyclcyl group is as herein described.

As used herein, “ureido” means an alkyl-NCON—, aryl-NCON— or heterocyclyl-NCON— group wherein the alkyl, aryl or heterocyclyl group is as herein described.

A substituent referred to as a radical in this specification may form a ring with another radical as described herein. When such radicals are combined, the skilled artisan will understand that there are no unsatisfied valences in such a case, but that specific substitutions, for example a bond for a hydrogen, is made. Hence certain radicals can be described as forming rings together. The skilled artisan will recognize that such rings can and are readily formed by routine chemical reactions, and it is within the purview of the skilled artisan to both envision such rings and the methods of their formations. Preferred are rings having from 3-7 members, more preferably 5 or 6 members. Compounds described herein may have cyclic structures therein, such as a ring R₁ and R₂. In that regard the skilled artisan recognizes that this method of description is routine in medicinal chemistry, though such may not rigorously reflect the chemical synthetic route. As used herein the term “ring” or “rings” when formed by the combination of two radicals refers to heterocyclic or carbocyclic radicals, and such radicals may be saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic. For example, preferred heterocyclic ring systems include heterocyclic rings, such as morpholinyl, piperdinyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, and pyridyl.

The skilled artisan will recognize that the radical of formula:

represents a number of different functionalities. Preferred functionalities represented by this structure include amides, ureas, thioureas, carbamates, esters, thioesters, amidines, ketones, oximes, nitroolefines, hydroxyguanidines and guanidines. More preferred functionalities include ureas, thioureas, amides, and carbamates.

The skilled artisan will recognize that some structures described herein may be resonance forms or tautomers of compounds that may be fairly represented by other chemical structures. The artisan recognizes that such structures are clearly contemplated within the scope of this invention, although such resonance forms or tautomers are not represented herein. For example, the structures:

clearly represent the same compound(s), and reference to either clearly contemplates the other. In addition, the compounds useful in this invention can be provided as prodrugs, the following of which serve as examples:

wherein R is a group (or linkage) removed by biological processes. Hence, clearly contemplated in this invention is the use compounds provided as biohydrolyzable prodrugs, as they are understood in the art. “Prodrug”, as used herein is any compound wherein when it is exposed to the biological processes in an organism, is hydrolyzed, metabolized, derivatized or the like, to yield an active substance having the desired activity. The skilled artisan will recognize that prodrugs may or may not have any activity as prodrugs. It is the intent that the prodrugs described herein have no deleterious effect on the subject to be treated when dosed in safe and effective amounts. These include for example, biohydrolyzable amides and esters. A “biohydrolyzable amide” is an amide compound which does not essentially interfere with the activity of the compound, or that is readily converted in vivo by a cell, tissue, or human, mammal, or animal subject to yield an active compound. A “biohydrolyzable ester” refers to an ester compound that does not interfere with the activity of these compounds or that is readily converted by an animal to yield an active compound. Such biohydrolyzable prodrugs are understood by the skilled artisan and are embodied in regulatory guidelines.

Compounds and compositions herein also specifically contemplate pharmaceutically acceptable salts, whether cationic or anionic. A “pharmaceutically-acceptable salt” is an anionic salt formed at any acidic (e.g., carboxyl) group, or a cationic salt formed at any basic (e.g., amino) group. Many such salts are known in the art, as described in World Patent Publication 87/05297, Johnston et al., published Sep. 11, 1987 (incorporated by reference herein). Preferred counter-ions of salts formable at acidic groups can include cations of salts, such as the alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium), and alkaline earth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium) and organic salts. Preferred salts formable at basic sites include anions such as the halides (such as chloride salts). Of course, the skilled artisan is aware that a great number and variation of salts may be used, and examples exist in the literature of either organic or inorganic salts useful in this manner.

Inasmuch as the compounds useful in this invention may contain one or more stereogenic centers, “Optical isomer”, “stereoisomer”, “enantiomer,” “diastereomer,” as referred to herein have the standard art recognized meanings (cf. Hawleys Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th Ed.) and are included in these compounds, whether as racemates, or their optical isomers, stereoisomers, enantiomers, and diastereomers.

As used herein, the term “metabolic disease”, means a group of identified disorders in which errors of metabolism, imbalances in metabolism, or sub-optimal metabolism occur. The metabolic diseases as used herein also contemplate a disease that can be treated through the modulation of metabolism, although the disease itself may or may not be caused by specific metabolism blockage. Preferably, such metabolic disease involves glucose and fatty acid oxidation pathway. More preferably, such metabolic disease involves MCD or is modulated by levels of Malonyl CoA, and is referred to herein as an “MCD or MCA related disorder.”

Preparation of Compounds

The starting materials used in preparing the compounds useful in this invention are known, made by known methods, or are commercially available. It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that methods for preparing precursors and functionality related to the compounds claimed herein are generally described in the literature. The skilled artisan given the literature and this disclosure is well equipped to prepare any of these compounds.

It is recognized that the skilled artisan in the art of organic chemistry can readily carry out manipulations without further direction, that is, it is well within the scope and practice of the skilled artisan to carry out these manipulations. These include reduction of carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alcohols, reductive alkylation of amines, oxidations, acylations, aromatic substitutions, both electrophilic and nucleophilic, etherifications, esterification, saponification and the like. These manipulations are discussed in standard texts such as March Advanced Organic Chemistry (Wiley), Carey and Sundberg, Advanced Organic Chemistry and the like.

The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that certain reactions are best carried out when other functionality is masked or protected in the molecule, thus avoiding any undesirable side reactions and/or increasing the yield of the reaction. Often the skilled artisan utilizes protecting groups to accomplish such increased yields or to avoid the undesired reactions. These reactions are found in the literature and are also well within the scope of the skilled artisan. Examples of many of these manipulations can be found for example in T. Greene and P. Wuts Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2^(nd) Ed., John Wiley & Sons (1991).

The following example schemes are provided for the guidance of the reader, and represent preferred methods for making the compounds exemplified herein. These methods are not limiting, and it will be apparent that other routes may be employed to prepare these compounds. Such methods specifically include solid phase based chemistries, including combinatorial chemistry. The skilled artisan is thoroughly equipped to prepare these compounds by those methods given the literature and this disclosure.

As shown in the above scheme, treatment of benzofuran O-methyl ether (1) with tribromoboron in dichloromethane provided the free 5-hydroxybenzofuran compound 2 which coupled to primary or secondary amine under conventional peptide coupling conditions gave rise to the desired 2-carboxamide derivatives 3.

Scheme 2 illustrated the synthesis of C-3 carboxamides. Starting from the same starting material 1, bromination occurred at C-3 position in the presence of bromine and using CS₂ as solvent. Decarboxylation of C-2 carboxylic acid group was achieved under conventional condition (Cu-Quinoline) to provide 3-bromo-5-methoxy-benzofuran 5 in good yields. Compound 5 was subsequently treated with n-butyllithium followed by dry ice to furnish C-3 carboxylic acid compound 6. Following the sequence in Scheme 1, the intermediate compound 6 was converted into its corresponding C-3 carboxamides 8.

Alternatively, C-2 substituted C-3 carboxamides compounds 12 could be prepared by the procedure shown in the Scheme 3 (Giza; Hinman; J. Org. Chem.; 1964, 29:1453). In the presence of Lewis acid (e.g. ZnCl2), b-diketone or b-ketoester 9 was coupled with quinone derivatives 10 to provide the desired C2 substituted C-3 ketone derivatives in one step. Or when R₂=OEt, the C-3 carboxylate was sponified to give rise to the corresponding carboxylic acid which was subsequently converted into its corresponding amide derivatives 12.

A similar method was employed to prepare C-2 unsubstituted C-3 keto derivatives. Methyl ketone 13 was easily converted into its corresponding enamine intermediate under heating with microwave. The intermediate then was coupled with quinone derivative 10 to provide the desired C-3 ketone compounds.

On the other hand, C-2 ketone derivatives were prepared via the procedure illustrated in Scheme 5. Ring formation of o-hydroxybenzaldehyde 16 with a-chloromethylketone in the presence of weak base such as K2CO3 led to the C-2 ketone benzofuran intermediate 17. Subsequent removal of methoxy protecting group and bromination at C-4 and C-6 position resulted in the final product 18 In vitro MCD Inhibitory Assa

The conversion of acetyl-CoA from malonyl-CoA was assayed using a modified protocol as previously described by Kim, Y. S. and Kolattukudy, P. E. in 1978 (Arch. Biochem. Biophys 190:585 (1978)). As shown in eq. 1-3, the establishment of the kinetic equilibrium between malate/NAD and oxaloacetate/NADH was catalyzed by malic dehydrogenase (eq. 2). The enzymatic reaction product of MCD, acetyl-CoA, shifted the equilibrium by condensing with oxaloacetate in the presence of citrate synthase (eq. 3), which resulted in a continuous generation of NADH from NAD. The accumulation of NADH can be continuously followed by monitoring the increase of fluorescence emission at 460 nm on a fluorescence plate reader. The fluorescence plate reader was calibrated using the authentic acetyl-CoA from Sigma. For a typical 96-well plate assay, the increase in the fluorescence emission (λ_(ex)=360 nm, λ_(em)=460 nm, for NADH) in each well was used to calculate the initial velocity of hMCD. Each 50 μL assay contained 10 mM phosphate buffered saline (Sigma), pH 7.4, 0.05% Tween-20, 25 mM K₂HPO₄—KH₂PO₄ (Sigma), 2 mM Malate (Sigma), 2 mM NAD (Boehringer Mannheim), 0.786 units of MD (Roche Chemicals), 0.028 unit of CS (Roche Chemicals), 5-10 nM hMCD, and varying amounts of MCA substrate. Assays were initiated by the addition of MCA, and the rates were corrected for the background rate determined in the absence of hMCD.

Isolated Working Rat Heart Assay Protocol

Isolated working hearts from male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g) are subjected to a 60-minute aerobic perfusion period. The working hearts are perfused with 95% O₂, 5% CO₂ with a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 5 mM glucose; 100 μU/mL insulin; 3% fatty acid-free BSA; 2.5 mM free Ca²⁺, and 0.4 to 1.2 mmol/L palmitate (Kantor et al., Circulation Research 86:580-588(2000)). The test compound is added 5 minutes before the perfusion period. DMSO (0.05%) is used as control.

Measurement of Glucose Oxidation Rates

Samples were taken at 10-minute intervals for measurements of experimental parameters. Glucose oxidation rates are determined by the quantitative collection of ¹⁴CO₂ produced by hearts perfused with buffer containing [U14]-Glucose (R. Barr and G. Lopaschuk, in “Measurement of cardiovascular function”, McNeill, J. H. ed., Chapter 2, CRC press, New York (1997)). After the perfusion, the ¹⁴CO₂ from the perfusae is subsequently released by injecting 1 mL of perfusate into sealed test tube containing 1 mL of 9N H₂SO4. The tube was sealed with a rubber stopper attached to a scintillation vial containing a piece of filter papers saturated with 300 μl of hyamine hydroxide. The scintillation vials with filter papers were then removed and Ecolite Scintillation Fluid added. Samples were counted by standard procedures as described above. Average rates of glucose oxidation for each phase of perfusion are expressed as μmol/min/g dry wt as described above.

Measurement of Fatty Acid Oxidation Rates

Rates of fatty acid oxidation are determined using the same method as described above for glucose oxidation rate measurement using [¹⁴C]palmitate or by the quantitative collection of ³H₂O produced by hearts perfused with buffer containing [5-³H]palmitate (R. Barr and G. Lopaschuk, in “Measurement of cardiovascular function”, McNeill, J. H. ed., Chapter 2, CRC press, New York (1997)). ³H₂O was separated from [5-³H]palmitate by treating 0.5 mL buffer samples with 1.88 mL of a mixture of chloroform/methanol (1:2 v:v) and then adding 0.625 mL of chloroform and 0.625 mL of a 2 M KCl/HCl solution. The sample is centrifuged for 10 min and aqueous phase was removed and treated with a mixture of 1 mL of chloroform, 1 mL of methanol and 0.9 mL KCl/HCl with a ration of 1:1:0.9. The aqueous layer was then counted for total ³H₂O determination. This process resulted in greater than 99.7% extraction and separation of ³H₂O from the pamiltate. Average rates of fatty acid oxidation for each phase of perfusion are expressed as nmol/min/g dry wt after taking consideration the dilution factor.

Active compounds are characterized by an increase in glucose oxidation and/or decrease in fatty acid oxidation as compared to the control experiments (DMSO). The compounds that caused statistically significant increases in glucose oxidation and/or decrease in fatty acid oxidation are considered to be active. Statistical significance was calculated using the Student's t test for paired or unpaired samples, as appropriate. The results with P<0.05 are considered to be statistically significant. TABLE 1 In vitro Enzymatic Inhibitory Activities Examples Ki (nM) CBP-000022880 33.5 CBP-000022880 35.7 CBP-000022902 998.1 CBM-000302109 450 CBM-000302150 121 CBM-000302151 1296.9 CBM-000302164 3293.8 CBM-000302272 3692.3 CBM-000302300 1653.1 CBM-000302301 315.1 CBM-000302323 1561.7 CBM-000302324 2326.1 CBM-000302325 4392.9 CBM-000302331 299.2 CBM-000302332 3696.2 CBM-000302333 3433.1 CBM-000302335 919.4 CBM-000302336 2808.2 CBM-000302349 1704.9 CBM-000302351 2911.3 CBM-000302352 3821 CBM-000302364 4512 CBM-000302366 2499.9 CBM-000302381 94.4 CBM-000302382 1431.1 CBM-000302383 1753.6 CBM-000302401 224.5 CBM-000302402 195.7 CBM-000302403 4655.1 CBM-000302416 2477.1 CBM-000302417 1649.1 CBM-000302418 2158.9 CBM-000302420 50.6 CBM-000302421 3208.8 CBM-000302423 1590.5 CBM-000302437 3804.3 CBM-000302441 31.6 CBM-000302448 3425.2 CBM-000302450 3338.2 CBM-000302452 4671.2 CBM-000302453 5326.3 CBM-000302454 1990.1 CBM-000302455 4144.3 CBM-000302456 1116.7 CBM-000302457 2343.3 CBM-000302477 2094.7 CBM-000302478 208.9 CBM-000302494 755.9 CBM-000302496 1982.6 CBM-000302497 2080.8 CBM-000302498 616.2 CBM-000302499 1664.8 CBM-000302501 4812 CBM-000302502 3666.6 CBM-000302503 269.1 CBM-000302505 4750.2 CBM-000302507 681.1 CBM-000302508 26.7 CBM-000302512 1149.9 CBM-000302513 3318.8 CBM-000302528 3630.3 CBM-000302529 1965.7

EXAMPLES

To further illustrate this invention, the following examples are included. The examples should not be construed as specifically limiting the invention. Variations of these examples within the scope of the claims are within the purview of one skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as described, and claimed herein. The reader will recognize that the skilled artisan, armed with the present disclosure, and skill in the art is able to prepare and use the invention without exhaustive examples.

Trademarks used herein are examples only and reflect illustrative materials used at the time of the invention. The skilled artisan will recognize that variations in lot, manufacturing processes, and the like, are expected. Hence the examples, and the trademarks used in them are non-limiting, and they are not intended to be limiting, but are merely an illustration of how a skilled artisan may choose to perform one or more of the embodiments of the invention.

¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (NMR) is measured in CDCl₃ or other solvents as indicated by a Varian NMR spectrometer (Unity Plus 400, 400 MHz for ¹H) unless otherwise indicated and peak positions are expressed in parts per million (ppm) downfield from tetramethylsilane. The peak shapes are denoted as follows, s, singlet; d, doublet; t, triplet; q, quartet; m, multiplet.

The following abbreviations have the indicated meanings:

-   -   Ac=acetyl     -   Bn=benzyl     -   Bz=benzoyl     -   CDI=carbonyl diimidazole     -   CH₂Cl₂=dichloromethane     -   DIBAL=diisobutylaluminum hydride     -   DMAP=4-(dimethylamino)-pyridine     -   DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide     -   DMSO=dimethylsulfoxide     -   EDCI or ECAC=1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide     -   hydrochloric acid     -   ESIMS=electron spray mass spectrometry     -   Et₃N=triethylamine     -   EtOAc=ethyl acetate     -   HMTA=hexamethylenetetramine     -   LDA=lithium diisopropylamide     -   LHDMS=lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide     -   MgSO₄=magnesium sulfate     -   NaH=sodium hydride     -   NBS=N-bromosuccinimide     -   NCS=N-chlorosuccinimide     -   NH₄Cl=ammonium chloride     -   Ph=phenyl     -   Py=pyridinyl     -   r.t.=room temperature     -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid     -   THF=tetrahydrofuran     -   TLC=thin layer chromatography     -   Tf₂O=triflic anhydride     -   Alkyl group abbreviations     -   Me=methyl     -   Et=ethyl     -   n-Pr=normal propyl     -   i-Pr=isopropyl     -   n-Bu=normal butyl     -   i-Bu=isobutyl     -   t-Bu=tertiary butyl     -   s-Bu=seconday butyl     -   c-Hex=cyclohexyl

Example 1 Preparation of 4.6-dibromo-2-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran

Step 1: Preparation of 2-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

2-Carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran (1.0 g, 5.2 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane (25 ml) and cooled to −78° C. A 1 M solution of borontribromide (15.6 ml) in dichloromethane was added slowly. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, and stirred 4 hours. The solution was quenched with aqueous ammonium chloride (20 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. 0.9 g (100%) of crude product was obtained. ¹H NMR(CD₃OD) δ=6.84 (dd, 1H), 6.95 (d, 1H), 7.17 (s, 1H), 7.32 (d, 1H).

Step 2: Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-2-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

2-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran (980 mg, 5.50 mmol) and potassium acetate (1.10 g, 11.21 mmol) were dissolved in acetic acid (30 ml) and cooled to 0° C. Bromine (845 μl, 16.50 mmol) was dissolved in acetic acid (2 ml) and added slowly to the above solution. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, and stirred 2.5 hours. Water (20 ml) was then added to the solution and the reaction quenched upon the addition of Na₂S₂O₃-5H₂O (260 mg). The aqueous solution was extracted with diethyl ether, and the organic layer washed with aqueous sodium thiosulfate and dried over sodium sulfate. Concentration in vacuo yielded a tan solid which was washed with hexanes to yield 1.04 g (56%). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ=7.39 (s, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H).

Example 2 Preparation of 4.6-dibromo-3-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran

Step 1: Preparation of 3-bromo-2-carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran.

2-Carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran (2.00 g, 10.41 mmol) was suspended in carbon disulfide (70 ml) and bromine (1.18 ml, 22.96 mmol) was added. The mixture was refluxed 48 hours. The crude product was isolated by evaporation of solvent in vacuo. 2.64 g (96%). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ3.94 (s, 3H), 7.28 (d, 1H), 7.48 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, 1 H).

Step 2: Preparation of 3-bromo-5-methoxybenzofuran.

3-Bromo-2-carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran (1.36 g, 5.02 mmol), powdered copper (371 mg, 5.84 mmol), and quinoline (16 ml) were combined and heated to 210° C. for 0.5 hours. After the mixture cooled to ambient temperature the solids were removed by filtration through celite. The filtrate was diluted with dichloromethane and washed three times with 1 M aqueous hydrochloric acid, once with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and once with brine. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, concentrated in vacuo, and purified by column chromatography (SiO₂ gel, 6:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate) to yield 708 mg (62%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ3.94 (s, 3H), 6.79 (d, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1 H), 7.34 (dd, 1H), 7.64 (d, 1H).

Step 3: Preparation of 3-carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran.

A 2.5 M solution of n-butyl lithium (5.6 ml, 2.24 mmol) in hexanes was added dropwise to a solution of 3-bromo-5-methoxybenzofuran (483 mg, 2.13 mmol) in anhydrous THF at −78° C. the cooled reaction mixture was stirred for 0.5 hours under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Powdered CO₂(s) was added and the mixture stirred an additional 0.5 hours before allowing it to warm to ambient temperature. After 0.5 hours the reaction was quenched with 2 M aqueous hydrochloric acid, concentrated in vacuo, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. Purification by preparative TLC (3:2 hexanes/ethyl acetate) yielded 113 mg (9%). ¹H NMR(CD₃OD) δ3.84 (s, 3H), 6.94 (dd, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.49 (d, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H).

Step 4: Preparation of 3-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran

3-carboxy-5-methoxybenzofuran (128 mg, 0.666 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane (25 ml) and cooled to −78° C. A 1 M solution of borontribromide (15.6 ml) in dichloromethane was added slowly. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, and stirred 3 hours. The solution was quenched with aqueous ammonium chloride (20 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. 106 mg (89%) of crude product was obtained. ¹H NMR(CD₃OD) δ6.84 (dd, 1H), 7.36 (d, 1H), 7.39 (d, 1H), 8.32 (s,1H).

Step 5: Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-3-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

3-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran (100 mg, 0.561 mmol) and potassium acetate (83 mg, 0.842 mmol) were dissolved in acetic acid (10 ml) and cooled to 0° C. Bromine (86 μl, 1.680 mmol) was and added slowly to the above solution and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, stirring 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous sodium thiosulfate, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. Concentration in vacuo yielded a tan solid which was washed with hexanes to yield 155 mg (82%). ¹H NMR(CD₃OD) δ 7.83 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H).

Example 3 Preparation of N-alkyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-carboxamides

Step 1: Preparation of N-1,5-dimethylhexyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-carboxamide.

Combined 4,6-dibromo-2-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran (16 mg, 0.048 mmol), 1,5-dimethylhexylamine (9 mg, 0.052 mmol), HBTU (33 mg, 0.062 mmol), and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (26 μl, 0.144 mmol) in DMF (2 ml) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred 2 hours, concentrated in vacuo and purified by preparative TLC (50% ethyl acetate, 50% hexanes) to yield 3.5 mg (16%). ¹H NMR (CDCI₃) δ 0.84 (m, 6H), 1.09-1.36 (m, 5H), 1.50-1.60 (m, 5H), 4.09 (m, 1H), 6.29 (d, 1H), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H).

Example 4 Preparation of N-alkyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-carboxamides

All the compounds listed in Table 1 were prepared according to the procedure described in the above examples. TABLE 1 N-alkyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-carboxamides.

Examples R1 R2 4-1 1-Me-2-(CO2tBu)-ethyl H 4-2 1,5-dimethylhexyl H 4-3 cyclohexylmethyl H 4-4 4-(3-Me-pentyl)-Ph H 4-5 4-(4,4,4-trifluorobutyl)-Ph H 4-6 OMe Me 4-7 4-[CH2(CO2Et)]—Ph H 4-8 2-(CO2tBu)-ethyl H 4-9 1-iPr-2-(CO2tBu)-ethyl H 4-10 2,5-diMeO—PhCH2 H 4-11 2,5-diMeO—PhCH2CH2 H 4-12 4-nBuO—Ph H 4-13 furan-2-ylmethyl H 4-14 2,5-diMeO—PhCONH H 4-15 Ph Me 4-16 4-(CO2Me)—Ph Me 4-17 (CO2tBu)CH2 Me 4-18 cyclohexyl H 4-19 3,4,5-triMeO—Ph H 4-20 4-Me—Ph H 4-21 Ph H 4-22 4-(NCCH2)-Ph H 4-23 3,5-diBr-4-OH—Ph H 4-24 PhCH2CH2 Me 4-25 Ph iPr 4-26 PhCH2 Me 4-27 iBu Me 4-28 (CO2Et)CH2 Me 4-29 (CO2tBu)CH2 H 4-30 4-MeO—Ph Me 4-31 4-CF3-PhCH2 Me 4-32 4-CF3O—PhCH2 Me 4-33 4-(CO2Me)—PhCH2 Me 4-34 (CO2tBu)CH2 tBu 4-35 3,5-diMeO—Ph H 4-36 (CO2tBu)CH2 iPr 4-37 2,5-diMeO—Ph H 4-38 2,3-diMeO—Ph H 4-39 4-tBu—Ph H 4-40 3,4-diMeO—Ph H 4-41 1,3-dioxolanylmethyl Me 4-42 n-pentyl Me 4-43 2-(N,N-dimethyl)-ethyl Me 4-44 2-(N,N-diethyl)-ethyl Me 4-45 2-(N,N-dimethyl)-propyl Me 4-46 2-Cl—Ph Me 4-47 4-Cl—Ph Me 4-48 2-Me—Ph Me 4-49 4-Me—Ph Me 4-50 furan-2-ylmethyl Me 4-51 napthalyl Me 4-52 4-MeO—Ph Me 4-53 3,4-diMeO—PhCH2CH2 Me 4-54 3,4-diCl—Ph Me 4-55 3,4,5-triMeO—PhCH2 Me 4-56 3-Me—Ph Me 4-57 2-(6-MeO)-pyridinyl Me 4-58 1,1-dimethyl-2-(CO2tBu)ethyl H

Example 5 Preparation of N-alkyl-4.6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-carboxamides

Step 1: Preparation of N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-carboxamide.

Combined 4,6-dibromo-3-carboxy-5-hydroxybenzofuran (60 mg, 0.179 mmol), 3,4-dimethoxyaniline (27 mg, 0.179 mmol), and EDC (41 mg, 0.215 mmol in THF (5 ml) and stirred overnight. The mixture was diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by preparative TLC (2:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate) to yield 9 mg (23%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 6.83 (d, 1H), 6.99 (d, 1H), 7.44 (d, 1H), 7.72 (m, 2H), 8.05 (s, 1H); ESIMS: m/z470 (M-H).

Example 6 Preparation of N-alkyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-carboxamides

All compounds listed in Table 2 were prepared according to the procedure described in the above examples. TABLE 2 N-alkyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-carboxamides.

Examples R1 R2 6-1 (CO2tBu)-methyl Me 6-2 Ph H 6-3 4-(CO2Me)—Ph Me 6-4 3,4,5-triMeO—Ph H 6-5 3,5-diMeO—Ph H 6-6 3,4-diMeO—Ph H 6-7 4-CF3O—Ph Me 6-8 4-CF3O—PhCH2 H 6-9 3,4,5-triMeO—PhCH2 Me 6-10 H 6-11 (CO2tBu)-methyl iPr 6-12 2-[2-Me—(CO2tBu)]-ethyl H 6-13 2-(CO2tBu)-ethyl H 6-14 3-(iPrO)-propyl H

Example 7 Preparation of 4.6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-ketones

Step 1: Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-3-(2,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (141 μl, 1.06 mmol) and 2,5-dimethoxyacetophenone (161 μl, 1.01 mmol) were microwaved together at 150° C. for two hours. 2,6-dibromo-p-benzoquinone (266 mg, 1.00 mmol) was added in acetic acid (0.5 ml) and the mixture stirred overnight. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo and purified by preparative TLC (50% ethyl acetate, 50% hexanes) to yield 37 mg (8%). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ3.55 (s, 3H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 7.03 (d, 1H), 7.16 (m, 2H), 7.81 (s, 1H), 8.01 (s, 1H); ESIMS: m/z 455 (M-H).

Example 8 Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-ketones

All compounds listed in Table 3 were prepared according to the procedure described in the above examples. TABLE 3 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-3-ketones. Example R1 8-1  2,5-diMeO—Ph 8-2  Ph 8-3  2-F-5-CF3—Ph 8-4  2-OH-5-Br—Ph 8-5  3,4,5-triMeO—Ph 8-6  1-napthyl 8-7  3,5-diMeO—Ph 8-8  1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl 8-9  4-Me—Ph 8-10 4-MeO—Ph 8-11 4-tBu—Ph 8-12 3-MeO—Ph 8-13 2-pyridinyl 8-14 2-(4-MeO—PhO)—Et 8-15 Me 8-16 3-NO2—Ph 8-17 2-Br—Ph 8-18 3,5-di(PhCH2O)—Ph 8-19 4-CF3—Ph 8-20 4-F—Ph 8-21 4-(PhSO2)—Ph 8-22 4-pyridinyl 8-23 3-pyridinyl 8-24 4-Cl—Ph 8-25 3-Cl—Ph 8-26 6-[1,3-thiazolo(3,2-A)pyrimidinone] 8-27 2-(3-Me-benzothiophene) 8-28 2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-ethyl 8-29 indol-3-yl 8-30 N—Me-1,3-thiazol-2-amine

Example 9 Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-ketones

Step 1: Preparation of 2-benzoyl-5-methoxybenzofuran.

2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde (164 μl, 1.31 mmol), a-chloroacetophenone (203 mg, 1.31 mmol), and potassium carbonate (217 mg, 1.57 mmol) were heated in 2-butanone (10 ml) at 80° C. for 7 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate. The organic solution was washed twice with 2 M aqueous sodium hydroxide, once with brine, and dried over sodium sulfate to yield 315 mg (95%) of crude product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ3.87 (s, 3H), 7.12 (s, 1H), 7.14 (d, 1H), 7.53-7.56 (m, 3H), 7.65 (m, 1H), 8.04 (d, 2H).

Step 2: Preparation of 2-benzoyl-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

2-benzoyl-5-methoxybenzofuran (100 mg, 0.396 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane (10 ml) and cooled to −78° C. A 1 M solution of borontribromide (1.2 ml) in dichloromethane was added slowly. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, and stirred 3 hours. The solution was quenched with aqueous ammonium chloride (10 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. 69 mg (73%) of crude product was obtained. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.04 (dd, 1H), 7.09 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.52 (s,1H), 7.55 (m, 2H), 7.67 (m,1H), 8.01 (m, 2H).

Step 3: Preparation of 2-benzoyl-4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran.

2-benzoyl-5-hydroxybenzofuran (60 mg, 0.252 mmol) and potassium acetate (37 mg, 0.378 mmol) were dissolved in acetic acid (10 ml) and cooled to 0° C. Bromine (39 μl, 0.756 mmol) was and added slowly to the above solution and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, stirring 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous sodium thiosulfate, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with water and dried over sodium sulfate. Concentration in vacuo yielded a tan solid which was washed with hexanes to yield 7 mg (7%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃) δ5.91 (s, 1H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.57 (app t, 2H), 7.68 (app t, 1H), 7.81 (s, 1H), 8.03 (m, 2H). ESIMS: m/z 395 (M-H).

Example 10 Preparation of 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-ketones

All the compounds listed in Table 4 were prepared according to the procedure described in the above examples. TABLE 4 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxybenzofuran-2-ketones. Examples R1 10-1 4-Me—Ph 10-2 Ph 10-3 3-NO2-Ph 

1. A pharmaceutical composition useful for inhibiting the enzyme malonyl-CoA decarboxylase which comprises a member selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (I):

wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₆ substituted alkyl, C₁-C₆ substituted alkenyl, C₁-C₆ substituted alkynyl, alkoxyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, —NHCONR₅R₆, —COR₅, —CONR₅R₆, —S(O)nR₅, or —SO₂NR₅R_(6,); R₃ and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, hydroxyl, methoxyl, —COOH, —COOR₅, —NHCONR₅R₆, —COR₅, —CONR₅R₆, —S(O)nR₅, or —SO₂NR₅R₆, C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R₅ and R₆ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, aryl or heteroaryl; X is independently chosen from O, N, NH, NR₅, S, or C; its corresponding enantiomers, diastereoisomers or tautomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a prodrug thereof in an pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 having the general structure formula (Ia-Ig):

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R4 are as defined in claim
 1. 3. A compound according to claims 1 or 2 having the general structure formulae (Ie)

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R4 are as defined in claim
 1. 4. A compound according to claims 1, 2 or 3 selected from the group consisting of: (4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(phenyl)methanone; 4,6-dibromo-N-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(1,3-dioxolan-2-ylmethyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-pentyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(2-methylphenyl)-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(4-methylphenyl)-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(2-furylmethyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(1-naphthylmethyl)-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-(4-methoxyphenyl )-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(3-methylphenyl)-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-(6-methoxypyridin-2-yl)-N-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carboxamide; tert-butyl 3-{[(4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoate; (5-methoxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(3-nitrophenyl)methanone; (5-methoxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(4-methylphenyl)methanone; (5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(3-nitrophenyl)methanone; (5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(4-methylphenyl )methanone; 4,6-dibromo-N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide; 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide; tert-butyl N-[(4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3-yl)carbonyl]-N-isopropylglycinate; tert-butyl 3-{[(4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoate; (4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3-yl)carbonyl N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-N′-ethylimidocarbamate; (4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(3-nitrophenyl)methanone; (4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-2-yl)(4-methylphenyl)methanone; tert-butyl 3-{[(4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-1-benzofuran-3-yl)carbonyl]amino}butanoate; and 4,6-dibromo-5-hydroxy-N-(3-isopropoxypropyl)-1-benzofuran-3-carboxamide.
 5. A method for inhibiting malonyl-CoA decarboxylase in a patient which comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to claim
 1. 6. A method for shifting fatty acid metabolism to carbohydrate metabolism in a patient by increasing malonyl-CoA concentration which comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to claim
 1. 7. A method for treating diseases associated with fatty acid and glucose metabolism mediated by malonyl-CoA decarboxylase in a patient which comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition according to claim
 1. 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said disease is a cardiovascular disease.
 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said cardiovascular disease is congestive heart failure.
 10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said cardiovascular disease is an ischemic cardiovascular disease.
 11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said ischemic cardiovascular disease is angina pectoris.
 12. A method according to claim 7 wherein said disease is diabetes.
 13. A method according to claim 7 wherein said disease is obesity.
 14. A method according to claim 7 wherein said disease is acidosis.
 15. A method according to claim 7 wherein said disease is cancer. 